Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
LUKE
J essy is silent as she follows us back to the manor house and I expect it’s because Morgana is clutching my arm and whispering in my ear as we walk.
“That went well, hun. You had them eating out of your hand.”
“I suppose.”
She snuggles into my side. “This may not be so bad after all.”
“How do you work that one out? Because from where I’m standing, we are in an impossible situation.”
I point to the house looming up before us like an albatross around my neck. “Look at this place. It needs to be bulldozed and re-built at a cost of millions. Then there are the properties I now own. Apparently, they have no central heating and are in a bad state of disrepair. As the landlord, I am required to bring them up to a standard that will cost several more millions that I don’t possess.”
“But you could.”
“How do you work that one out?”
I shiver as the icy wind whips around my face and it wouldn’t be so bad if the house we are heading to was warm.
“Think about it, Luke. We are in a great position to draw in the crowds. Sponsorship even. I could use my platform to renovate the house and the properties.”
Her voice rises as the excitement grips her.
“I was speaking about it with Jasper over breakfast. He is so on board with this, Luke. We use the reality show to renovate Granthaven. It will be called ‘Saving Granthaven’ and we will get sponsors and everything. This may be just what we need while you’re out of action and it may even make us more money in the long run.”
She does make a good point and I can’t say I’m surprised because Morgana has made a career out of utilising social media and many underestimate her business acumen.
“What does Steven say?” I ask because knowing Morgana, she has run every aspect of this through him first.
“Of course he agrees with me.” She giggles and throws an amused smile in the direction of our agent, who is now deep in conversation with Jessy as they follow us.
I am monetarily distracted by her and something tugs on my heartstrings when I notice the expression in her eyes. She is pale, understandable in winter, but there is a weariness about her that tells me she’s suffering somehow. I cast my mind back to our conversation yesterday, that changed after one unguarded comment. This place is her life, and she is worried. I can see it in her eyes and I want to reassure her that I will help, but how can I?
I smile at Morgana. “If anybody can make this work, you can.”
“You know it.” She grins as she grips my arm a little tighter, and as we head up to the large oak door, she groans. “The first thing I’m changing is this bloody decrepit door.”
“Leave it.”
I stare at the ancient door with a strong sense of nostalgia. “Actually, I kind of like its cracks and blemishes. It would be like burying a person who still has many amazing stories to tell.”
“Oh, Luke.” Morgana laughs out loud. “I can tell I’m going to have my work cut out with you.”
We head inside and as the others follow us in, Morgana whispers, “That was a stroke of genius with Jessy.”
“What do you mean?” I note Steven saying something to her that makes her giggle and I smile.
“Involving the locals with your business here. Bridging the gap between us and them. She seems lovely too, so yes, that was a good move.”
As I catch Jessy’s eye, I smile.
“I think so too.”
Jasper heads across and sighs heavily.
“Okay, top priority. Let’s heat this mausoleum and then we can think straight. I’ve got several storage heaters heading our way from the production company. They assured me they’re nearby and will get them up and running in no time.”
“When did you arrange that?” I stare at him in surprise and he raises his eyes. “Yesterday, as soon as I saw what I was working with.”
Morgana nods. “Yes, Jasper has everything under control, and we begin filming after they arrive.”
She nods towards Jessy. “Perhaps you should brief your recruit on how things work around here while I head off with Jasper and Steven to make some coffee. The home delivery should have arrived by now.”
“What home delivery?”
I’m definitely missing part of my life somehow and Morgana says briskly, “We ordered it when we were at the hotel yesterday, along with new bedding and towels and other sundry items. Honestly Luke, if we are doing this, we are doing it properly and you may have buried your head in the sand, but Jasper, Steven and I have got you covered. Now go and sort things out with Jessy and we’ll bring you some coffee as soon as we’re organised.”
She heads off with Jasper and I gaze after them in shock, but I don’t know why I’m surprised really. Morgana takes her creature comforts extremely seriously and I doubt that is the last invoice I’ll be paying before the day is out.
Jessy is nervous. She is glancing around her like a rabbit caught in headlights as she sits once again in the threadbare chair by the fire.
This time the temperature is sufficient to enable us to discard our coats and I love the pale blue sweater she is wearing with a cat on the front. The colour reflects in her beautiful blue eyes and I can’t help being mesmerised by her.
Maybe it’s because I’m staring that she is uncomfortable, or it could be because I’ve sprung a situation on her that I haven’t fully explained yet and so I say softly, “Thank you for hearing me out.”
“Are you going to tell me what the offer was about?” She asks and I’m not sure I can answer that because it was a spur-of-the-moment decision just to get her to talk to me again. Now I’ve asked, I must honour my offer and say with a slight shrug, “It makes perfect sense. I need somebody to liaise between me and the villagers and after hearing of your degree, I wanted to pick your brains about this place.”
She raises her eyes and I say quickly, “I mean, I want to make this work, but even you must admit it’s a lot.”
“I guess.”
She sighs and stares into the flickering fire and smiles. “Granthaven has been my life ever since I can remember. It’s a magical place, but even I must admit it’s failing.”
She holds out her hands and warms them against the fire and says with a wistful expression, “Lady Townsend tried, but when Lord Townsend died she was thrust into a world she never understood the first thing about. Their only income was from the rents and they are lower than average due to their generosity.”
“So, I should put the rents up. I don’t think that will go down well.”
“You should, but no, it wouldn’t.”
She sighs and leans back, regarding me through those astonishing eyes, her lashes sweeping against her cheeks as she thinks. I’m surprised at my reaction to her because I am often surrounded by attractive women but there is something different about Jessy.
As if on cue, Morgana enters the room with a huge silver tray, two mugs of steaming coffee and a plate of biscuits.
“Here you go. Fuel for the workers.”
She hands one to Jessy and smiles sweetly. “I’m so glad Luke employed you. God knows I need another female opinion. It’s hard work being the only creative one in the family.”
She huffs and then winks as she hands a mug to me. “Don’t be sore about that hun, you know I speak the truth.”
It makes me chuckle.“You always do.”
I glance at Jessy and roll my eyes. “If I didn’t have Morgana, I wouldn’t be half the man I am now. She tells me how it is and organises my life. You should get on.”
Morgana grins and shakes her head as she peers around the room.
“Well, I say thank God for Jasper. He will soon make this place habitable. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must meet with him to discuss the way forward. I mean, we have a programme to make and that requires meticulous planning.
As she leaves, Jessy smiles and whispers, “Why do I like her so much?”
“Because she deserves it. Morgana doesn’t possess a bad bone in her body and is the most generous, sweetest person I have ever met. You will learn a lot from her.”
Jessy nods and sips her drink, but for some reason her eyes just lost a little of their sparkle.